Wednesday, January 04, 2017

Sporting KC Announce Gerso Fernandes Designated Player Deal

Sporting KC made official today the signing of winger Gerso Fernandes, signing him to a three year deal, with an option for a fourth. The deal for Fernandes is a designated player deal through 2019, with the option for 2020. The 25 year old native of Guinea-Bissau has spent his entire playing career in Portugal playing for five different teams over his career in the top two divisions there. He's another in what has become a long line of players that Peter Vermes has says he's chased for years and finally been able to bring in. Reports are that the fee Sporting is paying to C.F. Os Belenenses is just over $1.5 million, meaning KC has moved away from their long stated policy of not paying a transfer fee for a player.

Because of Fernandes occupying a designated player spot, Sporting KC will have to buy down one of their three current designated players before the March roster deadline. The club will have to buy down either Roger Espinoza, Diego Rubio (young DP), or Graham Zusi using TAM or GAM to fit Fernandes on Sporting's roster.

Fernandes will bring plenty of pace to the Sporting KC wing, something the club has lacked greatly over the last few years. His speed should allow Kansas City to actually be dangerous on counter attacks. He'll provide more delivery from out wide as well, he seems to contribute a few assists each season, something that Sporting could certainly use more of out on the wing.

The one thing about the move that is probably a little concerning is Fernandes' goal scoring record. Fernandes has scored nine goals in around 6,300 league minutes over his career. Hopefully he can up his scoring capabilities to be the secondary scorer that KC desperately need to help Dom Dwyer. But it's a big step in the right direction for Kansas City to turn around their dismal wing play from 2016.